Logan Square’s New Lonesome Rose Has a Secret Basement Bar

The owners of Lonesome Rose weren’t completely honest with their plans for the Logan Square space where its all-day restaurant debuted last month. Land & Sea Department — the company behind Lost Lake, Parson’s Chicken & Fish, and the restaurants and bars at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel — also built a bar in Lonesome Rose’s basement. Golden Teardrops was also the name on permits for the space at 2101 N. California Avenue.

The bar is open four days a week. It’s a tiny and dark space, a contrast from the bright Tex-Mex-influenced design upstairs. There’s a white neon sign that reads “weddings and funerals.” Before Land & Sea built Lonesome Rose/Golden Teardrops, the site was home to Ronny’s, a bar that hosted live punk rock shows. While there’s no going back to days of the old dive, Golden Teardrops is a place ideal for a nightcap. They even stock bottles of Budweiser.

But, as with any bar that has star bartender Paul McGee’s influence, Golden Teardrops doesn’t rely on domestic macrobrews. The cocktails appear to skew toward the classic side, including Vesper martinis. Time Out Chicago has more details about the bar. There are eight cocktails on the drink list ranging from $10 to $12. There’s three tap beers (Hamms, Hopewell Swift IPA, Three Floyds Gumball Head) and 10 beers in cans or bottles. There’s also an impressive selection of whiskies, brandy, amaro, gin, and agave spirits.

When Land & Sea in 2016 applied for its liquor permit for the space, the company applied for a rooftop patio permit. While Chicagoans are just now adjusting to snow season, the space could provide more surprises as spring approaches. Come back for more details. But for now, have a drink at Golden Teardrops, now open in Logan Square.

Golden Teardrops, 2101 N. California Avenue, (773) 770-3414, open 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Open until 3 a.m. on Saturday.